League History

The Lincolnshire Football League was formed in 1948 with 14 teams playing in one division, the Champions in that first season being Alford United.

The League continued with one division until the 1961/62 season when a small division of 6 teams was introduced to accommodate the senior Clubs in Lincolnshire, the 6 teams being Scunthorpe United, Lincoln City, Grimsby Town, Boston United, Gainsborough Trinity & Spalding United run reserves teams.

This format continued until the 1966/67 season when a third division was formed bringing 38 teams into the league. This lasted only two seasons before the senior clubs withdrew their reserves teams bringing the league back down to two divisions.

In the 1972/73 season there was sufficient interest in the League to form a third division once again with the league consisting of 45 teams, with the bottom division being mostly reserves teams of established Lincolnshire League sides. This format continued for 6 seasons until the 1978/79, when the league reverted once again back to two divisions.

The league continued with two divisions until the 1987/88 season when it reverted back to one division which it has remained ever since.

Since 2004 the league has fluctuated in numbers, a low of 11 as well as a higher of 17 teams.

Over the 60 plus that years that the league has been in existence it has proudly provided football for a number of clubs that have progressed to a higher level. These being Brigg Town, Appleby Frodingham, Barton Town Old Boy’s, Winterton Town, Louth United, Louth Town, Cleethorpes Town, Grimsby Borough, Skegness Town. Ashby Institute, Immingham Town, Lincoln United, Lincoln Moorlands, Nettleham, Boston FC, Sleaford Town & Bottesford Town.

And in recent years the league was delighted to see one of our former members Cleethorpes Town play at Wembley in May 2017 in the FA Vase Final, only 4 years after leaving the League. A great example of how aspiring and progressive clubs can establish themselves higher up the non-league pyramid thanks to building a solid foundation at Lincolnshire League level.

The league was granted Step 7 status for the 2017/2018 season meaning that clubs with the intention of progressing up the football pyramid can now do so from the Lincolnshire League providing they meet the certain ground grading requirements which are in place.